North East Security Watch

[Oracle]

Manipur deploys forces to prevent Muivah's entry

The Manipur government has deployed state forces at Liyai Khunou and Jessami near the Nagaland border in Ukhrul district to prevent the entry of NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.

Official sources said on Saturday that nearly 200 police personnel and border security forces have been deployed at both the villages.

Muivah, who attempted to enter Manipur along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway 39 in May by camping at Viswema in Nagaland, had moved to Pfutsero in that state in an attempt to cross into Ukhrul district via Jessami and Liyai Khunou.

The senior Naga rebel leader, who hails from Somdal in Manipur's Ukhrul district, left his village about 40 years ago to wage an armed struggle.

The state government and many civil organisations were of the view that Muivah's attempt to enter Manipur would create communal disharmony as the main demand of the NSCN-IM was to form a greater Nagaland by merging Naga-settled areas of Manipur with the present Nagaland state, official sources said.

Muivah on Friday wound up his camp at Visema village on the Nagaland-Manipur border where he had been camping since May 5 and went to Pfutsero, 70 km away by road, on a 'peace mission'.

http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jun/05/manipur-deploys-forces-to-prevent-muivahs-entry.htm

 

[nandu]

Top ULFA leaders to surrender soon: Pillai

Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai says a number of top commanders and leaders of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) based in Bangladesh and Myanmar are expected to surrender shortly and join the peace process.

"Some of them are senior leaders and commanders based in Bangladesh and Myanmar who have expressed their willingness to come over ground," Mr. Pillai told IANS in an interview here.

Mr. Pillai was in Meghalaya on a three-day visit to review the security situation that concluded on Saturday.

"The Assam government has already initiated the peace process with the ULFA and we are very optimistic about a settlement," the Home Secretary said in Guwahati while returning to New Delhi after his trip to Meghalaya.

He said the presence of the elusive ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah was important for the peace talks, but claimed the rebel leader would find himself in a spot if he keeps away from the dialogue process.

"Paresh Baruah would be marginalised if he remains adamant and fails to respect the voices of the people of Assam," the Home Secretary said.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi last week set the ball rolling by way of a Cabinet decision to open peace talks with the ULFA leadership, majority of them in jail now.

Six top ULFA leaders are in jail and that includes chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, 'deputy commander-in-chief' Raju Baruah, 'foreign secretary' Sasha Choudhury, 'finance secretary' Chitraban Hazarika, 'cultural secretary' Pranati Deka, and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain.

ULFA vice-chairman Pradeep Gogoi and publicity chief Mithinga Daimary are out on bail and currently drumming up public opinion for peace talks.

The only top ULFA leader who continues to be at large is Paresh Baruah.

"Paresh Baruah is probably somewhere in the borders between Myanmar and China's Yunnan Province," Mr. Pillai said.

ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia is in protective custody in Bangladesh since his arrest in 1997 in that country. His jail term was over, but continues to remain in Bangladesh as he had moved a writ petition seeking political asylum there.

"There are legal problems in extraditing Anup Chetia as he had moved a petition seeking political asylum," the Home Secretary said.

Chetia would have to withdraw the petition for political asylum for enabling him to come to Assam and join the peace process.

Mr. Pillai, however, warned of possible strikes by the ULFA and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Assam. NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary was handed over by Bangladesh to Indian authorities last month and is now in the custody of Assam Police.

"When militant groups get weakened they try to strike out of desperation and hence such a possibility for violent attacks is not ruled out and so a general alert and stepped up vigil is always there," the Home Secretary said.

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article447929.ece

 

[Oracle]

Centre mulling BSF deployment on Myanmar border

SHILLONG, June 6 – A proposal to deploy Border Security Force personnel along the Indo-Myanmar border to improve security was under consideration, Union Home Secretary GK Pillai said.
"A final decision on whether the Indo-Myanmar border will be manned by BSF or Assam Rifles will be taken by the Union Cabinet,'' Pillai told PTI during his three-day visit here.

India shares a 1,640-km-long border with Myanmar manned by Assam Rifles and the dense forests in most parts make the border porous and vulnerable.

Most of the posts of Assam Rifles are located well inside Indian territory and only a handful of posts are located near the zero-line, which makes it easier for the insurgents camping in Myanmar to sneak into India easily, the sources said.

BSF is currently responsible for guarding the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla border, with some battalions also deployed in Maoist-hit areas in Central and Eastern India and anti-insurgency operations in the North East.

Assam Rifles was entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the border with Myanmar in 2002 and at that time, the strength of the force was 30 battalions.

Gradually, the strength of the force has been increased to 46 battalions. Twenty more battalions are being raised by the force, the country's oldest paramilitary force.

Pillai admitted that there was a shortage of officers in the Army and this situation has prompted the Centre to consider a proposal of Assam Rifles on the direct entry of officers.

"There is a proposal for direct entry of officers for certain percentage partly because of the shortage of Indian army officers," he said last Friday.

Though a paramilitary force, the officer cadre of Assam Rifles is composed of Army officers on deputation. – PTI

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun0710/oth06

 

[Oracle]

ULFA military chief held in Bangladesh

United Liberation Front of Asom military wing leader Ranjan Chowdhury was arrested in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh on Monday.

Chowdhury was arrested from a nursing home in Sherpur where he was undergoing treatment, said a Bangladeshi news agency.

He may be handed over to India, it added.

Chowdhury's wife Sabitri Sangma had confirmed the arrest over telephone Bangladesh's New Age newspaper.

Five ULFA leaders, including its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, were arrested and handed over to India earlier this year.

http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jun/07/ulfa-military-chief-held-in-bangladesh.htm

 

[Oracle]

From a different source.

ULFA leader arrested in Bangladesh

DHAKA: Bangladesh has arrested ULFA leader Ranju Chowdhury from a northern district, months after the chief of the separatist outfit Arbinda Rajkhowa was handed over to Indian authorities.

Ranju Chowdhury alias Rattan Sarkar, a leader of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was arrested on Sunday from northern Mymensingh district, local sources said.

The elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) troops arrested Chowdhury as he was being treated at a health facility in Mymensingh, local newsmen familiar with the case told PTI on phone.

Chowdury hailed from Silchar in Assam but was hiding in Bangladesh as his in-laws are based in the frontier Sherpur district in northern Bangladesh.

RAB officials, however, declined to confirm the report with its chief Hasan Mahmud Khondker saying "I have no idea".

"We have heard that he (Chowdhury) has been arrested but have nothing in details to tell you. RAB has not informed us...," a senior official of Mymensingh police said.

The report came months after Dhaka is believed to have extended hands to India in capturing ULFA chief Rajkhowa.

Rajkhowa was reportedly picked up from Bangladeshi territory along with several accomplices as he was hiding in Bangladesh.

Dhaka had at that time declined the report of his arrest and his subsequent handing over to India.

Another ULFA stalwart Anup Chetia was arrested from Dhaka during the past 1996-2001 Awami League regime and still is in "security custody" despite the expiry of his jail term for cross border intrusion.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/ULFA-leader-arrested-in-Bangladesh/articleshow/6019587.cms

 

[Oracle]

ULFA leaders in Bangladesh, Myanmar to surrender: Pillai

Guwahati, June 6 (IANS): Union Home Secretary GK Pillai says a number of top commanders and leaders of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) based in Bangladesh and Myanmar are expected to surrender shortly and join the peace process.
"Some of them are senior leaders and commanders based in Bangladesh and Myanmar who have expressed their willingness to come overground," Pilla told IANS in an interview here. Pillai was in Meghalaya on a three-day visit to review the security situation that concluded Saturday.

"The Assam Government has already initiated the peace process with the ULFA and we are very optimistic about a settlement," the Home Secretary said in Guwahati while returning to New Delhi after his trip to Meghalaya.

He said the presence of the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah was important for the peace talks, but claimed the rebel leader would find himself in a spot if he keeps away from the dialogue process.

"Paresh Baruah would be marginalized if he remains adamant and fails to respect the voices of the people of Assam," the home secretary said.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi last week set the ball rolling by way of a cabinet decision to open peace talks with the ULFA leadership, majority of them in jail now.

Six top ULFA leaders are in jail and that includes chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, 'deputy commander-in-chief' Raju Baruah, 'foreign secretary' Sasha Choudhury, 'finance secretary' Chitraban Hazarika, 'cultural secretary' Pranati Deka, and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain.

ULFA vice chairman Pradeep Gogoi and publicity chief Mithinga Daimary are out on bail and currently drumming up public opinion for peace talks.

The only top ULFA leader who continues to be at large is Paresh Baruah.

"Paresh Baruah is probably somewhere in the borders between Myanmar and China's Yunnan Province," Pillai said.

ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia is in protective custody in Bangladesh since his arrest in 1997 in that country. His jail term was over, but continues to remain in Bangladesh as he had moved a writ petition seeking political asylum there.

"There are legal problems in extraditing Anup Chetia as he had moved a petition seeking political asylum," the home secretary said.

Chetia would have to withdraw the petition for political asylum for enabling him to come to Assam and join the peace process.

Pillai, however, warned of possible strikes by the ULFA and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Assam. NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary was handed over by Bangladesh to Indian authorities last month and is now in the custody of Assam Police.

"When militant groups get weakened they try to strike out of desperation and hence such a possibility for violent attacks is not ruled out and so a general alert and stepped up vigil is always there," the home secretary said.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun0710/at022

 

[Oracle]

Maoists move to set up base in North East
R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, June 7 – The security agencies have come across disturbing inputs of efforts by Maoist groups to make inroads in the North East and according to reports, the newly constituted Eastern Region Bureau of the rebels has been entrusted with the task of establishing foothold in the North East.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that the Eastern Region Bureau of the Maoists was initially entrusted with the responsibility of launching operations in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and parts of Orissa. But recently, the Bureau has been given the additional responsibility of the North East region. The Bureau is headed by Prashanta Bose alias Kishan da, who is originally from West Bengal but now spends most of his time in Jharkhand. Interestingly, one person from Assam is also a member of the Bureau. Sources, however, refused to disclose his name and only said that he is from an area bordering West Bengal.

Sources said that the Maoists have recently adopted a resolution to support the "nationality struggles" all over the country including North East and Jammu and Kashmir and with a good number of militant outfits active in the North East, there is need for keeping a close watch on the situation. The Government of India is also keeping a close watch in North East to prevent the Maoists from making inroads as the situation in the region would deteriorate fast if the Maoists manage to establish strong links with the militant groups active in this part of the country, sources added.

Security sources said that there is enough evidence to prove the links of the Maoists with Manipur based outfit PLA and the NSCN (I-M) and there have been efforts by the Maoists to establish links with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Though there is strong apprehension that the Maoists are getting weapons from the rebel groups of the North East, the security agencies still do not have conclusive evidence of it. "The militant groups of North East have abundance of sophisticated weapons and the Maoists have started using such kinds of weapons in recent times. This raised doubts on whether the Maoists are getting weapons from the militants of NE," sources pointed out.

Sources pointed out that the Maoists normally go step by step while making inroad in any part of the country. They first conduct surveys of the target groups of people among which they can establish bases and normally economic struggle is the first step of movement. The economic struggle then evolves into "resistance struggle" and guerilla warfare is the final stage of their movement. In Assam, there are several groups of people whom can be targeted by the Maoists to establish their bases and the tea labourers can be the most vulnerable. Moreover, the flood and erosion hit farmers can be lured by the Maoists as they established strong foothold in Northern Bihar by working among the flood hit people. According to information available with the security forces, the Maoists formed a lower Assam Zonal committee in the 1990s but the committee could not survive and the possibility of similar attempts in near future cannot be ruled out.

It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently commented that the Maoists were trying to establish bases in the state but they have not yet been able to make inroads because of strong vigil maintained by police and security forces.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun0810/at07

 

[ajtr]

Emergence of Hills Tiger Force raises questions​

Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, June 4: The sudden appearance of yet another militant outfit masquerading as Hills Tiger Force in Dima Hasao district after peace and tranquility has returned after decades of bloody insurgency can hardly be overlooked and dismissed as 'freak'. Since the 80's, the erstwhile North Cachar Hills has been witness to the growth and rise of a surfeit of extremist organizations beginning with Dimasa National Security Force (DNSF) followed by DHD which split into two factions- one led by Dilip Nunisa and the other by Jewel Gorlosa. Along with that came up KLO, KNF besides forays by NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and HPC (D).
Quite significantly, the hills based outfits have been motivated, trained and armed by NSCN (IM) with the sole objective of extending its influence in the Naga inhabited areas as a part of its greater Nagaland or Nagalim design. It was under the tutelage of NSCN (IM) that all these outfits have been carrying on unabated extortions, ransoms, kidnappings and killings to create chaos and anarchy and disturb the State notwithstanding their own struggle for a home land. Extortions were done on the basis of 70:30 ratio between the outfits and NSCN (IM). All these facts came out from the grilling of their leaders and cadres.
But more out of frustration and growing disillusionment among rank and file, besides crackdown by the Sheikh Hasina Government on the bases and hideouts of Northeast rebels in general along with flush out operations by Indian security forces, the outfits realizing the ultimate fate of their campaign for home land had no option than to surrender and opt for dialogue. Disgruntled elements among them however continue to roam in jungle, perhaps in search of some moorings for resurgence which however looks remote, considered against the backdrop of NSCN (IM)'s talks with the Centre entering a crucial phase, besides its general secretary Thuingelang Muivah's greatest discomfiture in not being able to make it to his native village of Somdal in Ukhrul district due mainly to the stiff opposition of Manipur Government and the Meitei people.
The floating of Hills Tiger Force cannot be viewed in isolation. With the naming of North Cachar Hills as Dima Hasao and as approved by the State Government, united voice of resentment and protest by various non Dimasa bodies has been raging across the district. These bodies of Zemes, Kukis, Karbis, Jaintias, Hmars, Vaipeis, Baetis and Hrangkhals have cried foul, apprehending discrimination by the autonomous district council and also an exercise to drive them out. They have even cautioned if the earlier name of the district is not restored, it will again boil. The bandhs called by these organizations under the banner of Indigenous People's Forum over the issue of bifurcation of the district into two have already caused a sort of ethnic divide.
A look at the leaders forming the Hills Tiger Force led by Kapchy Naga, chairman, Arnal Kuki, secretary general, Hrangthang Hmar, 'commander-in-chief', Lunnel Kuki, secretary publicity and Stephen Lungchuong, secretary finance, with base in Borail Hills gives an indication of the material and logistic support it might get from the sources in the event of its attempt to fish in trouble water, taking advantage of the simmering ethnic divide. It might look for support to Kuki or Naga or Hmar extremist groups. It has already begun its operation by serving 'extortion notices'. Or is its emergence to put psychological pressure for reverting to the original name of North Cachar Hills? Intelligence and security agencies will have to keep a tab on the development in order to foil its any mischievous design.

 

[Oracle]

Hardcore ULFA leaders may come overground
Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, June 8 – A number of hardcore militants belonging to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have sent feelers to the police and security forces to express their desire to come over ground following the arrests of the top leaders of the outfit.
Security sources said that a number of militants are already in touch with the police and security forces. Some vital information regarding the strength of the outfit in the bases of the 28th battalion in Myanmar have also been divulged by them. Sources said that a number of cadres of the outfit are frustrated and given a chance they would like to come overground.

Sources revealed that the council headquarters of the ULFA in Myanmar is headed by senior leader Jiban Moran, while, another camp is headed by Prakash Baruah, while, the headquarter of the 28th battalion located near the NSCN (K) camp is headed by Bijoy Das alias Bijoy Chinese. The total strength of the ULFA cadres in Myanmar would be around 100 or so.

Those who are in touch with the security forces revealed that they were lured to join the outfit because they were feeling frustrated due to unemployment. They were told that the gun would give them the power and authority in their villages and they would be taken to a foreign country for training from where they would be able to come back to fight for Independent Assam. They were taken to Myanmar for training for three months, but now they are feeling frustrated as they have realized that independent Assam was an impossible dream.

The ULFA members in touch with the forces said that the behaviour of the senior leaders towards the lower level cadres is one of the reasons for their desire to come overground. The senior leaders are given different accommodations along with the camps and though complaints of ill treatment was lodged against several senior leaders, no action was taken against them. A number of cadres are suffering from malaria and other diseases, but they are not getting treatment because of shortage of medicines and they are also not allowed to return home for treatment, sources added. The arrests of senior leaders also caused frustration among the lower level cadres of the ULFA, sources said.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun0910/at07

 

[Oracle]

2 Women Held For Uranium Smuggling in Meghalaya

Shillong, Jun 9 : Two women have been arrested in Meghalaya on suspicion of uranium smuggling, police said Tuesday.

The duo -- Jobila Marak and Evalila Sangma -- were arrested in Jengjal area in West Garo Hills district Monday, police said.

They were arrested by Meghalaya Police on the basis of information given by two people arrested earlier last week in Assam's Mankachar town with a packet suspected to contain uranium.

Booked under the Arms Act and the Explosives Act, the two women will be handed over to Assam Police for questioning, police said.

Last week, Mankachar police in Assam's Dhubri district arrested two men - Sanjeev Marak and Trolik Marak - with a packet bearing a seal of the Department of Atomic Energy. A pistol was also recovered from them.

The packet has been sent to the forensic science laboratory for analysis, Dhubri Superintendent of Police Deepak Choudhury said.

'We cannot say for sure now what it contains, but we apprehend that it contains some kind of explosives,' Choudhury told IANS over phone.

The Mankachar-West Garo Hills district is a sensitive sector due to its proximity to Bangladesh. This corridor is used by militants to infiltrate into India and also enter Bangladesh.

Dhubri district's border with Bangladesh is manned by the police together with the help of the Border Security Force, barring the riverine border, the police official said.

http://www.sinlung.com/2010/06/2-women-held-for-uranium-smuggling-in.html

 

[Oracle]

2 militant groups active in NC Hills
Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, June 9 – Though the overall law and order situation in North Cachar Hills improved considerably after two major active militant groups — DHD and DHD (J) signed ceasefire agreements to find solution of their problems through talks. However, of late, two other militant groups increased their activities, which has became a cause of concern. Meanwhile, efforts are on to strengthen vigil along the NC Hills — Nagaland border to prevent free movement of militants.
Police sources told The Assam Tribune that most members of both factions of the DHD are staying in the designated camps and there have been no reports of clashes between them. But the area of concern now is that the outfits like the Hmar People's Democratic Convention (HPDC) and the Kuki National Front (KNF) have become active in recent times and the outfits are believed to be involved in three blasts in the hill district within the last one month. Sources said that the two outfits have joined hands to form the Hills Tiger Force with the objective of opposing the renaming of the district as Dima Hasao. The Hills Tiger Force has already sent letters to the Government offices opposing the renaming of the district and the possibility of the outfits indulging in more acts of violence in the days to come cannot be ruled out.

Sources said that the HPDC was formed with the help of the NSCN (I-M) and now the cadre strength of the outfit would be around a hundred. The members of the outfit do not stay in any camp, but they mostly stay in the villages inhabited by the Hmar people. The total Hmar population in the district would be around 10 per cent of the total population. On the other hand, the KNF's strength in the Hill district would not be more than 40, said the sources. However, if the two outfits join hands to launch coordinated operations, the situation in NC Hills may deteriorate. The Police and security forces are keeping a close watch on the situation.

On the activities of the NSCN (I-M), sources said that the members of the outfit are still making efforts to extort money from the hill district in violation of the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement. Sources, however, said that with the district council squeezed of funds, the NSCN members have not been able to collect large sums of money in recent times.

Meanwhile, efforts are on to improve vigil along the NC Hills-Nagaland border and the Government of Assam recently sanctioned creation of three more border outposts of the Assam police.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1010/at095

 

[Oracle]

Naga student body likely to relax NH blockade

KOHIMA, June 10 (PTI) - The Naga Students' Federation today hinted at relaxing economic blockade imposed on all Manipur-bound vehicles after receiving a letter from the neighbouring State's chief secretary expressing "regret" over May 3 police action against its leaders.
NSF leaders travelling to Oinam village in Manipur's Senapati district for the organisation's federal assembly were refused entry by the Manipur police at Mao Gate.

The incident led to an indefinite economic blockade on National Highways - 39 and 53.

The NSF demanded an apology from Manipur Chief Minister and lifting of Section 144 CrPC and armed police from the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.

It had yesterday written to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh stating it would consider relaxing the blockade imposed on all Manipur-bound vehicles "within a short period", but demanded lifting of the prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC from the Naga-inhabited areas in that State.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1010/at04

 

[Oracle]

Naga leaders meet Chidambaram

KOHIMA, June 12 (PTI) - A delegation of Naga Students' Federation (NSF) met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in New Delhi and requested him to direct Manipur to withdraw forces from Naga-inhabited areas.
The NSF delegation, led by its president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, yesterday urged Chidambaram to issue necessary directives to the Manipur government to immediately withdraw the Manipur Armed Police personnel from the Naga-inhabited areas of the neighbouring state and revoke the arrest warrants issued against some Naga leaders.

While apprising the minister about the prevailing situation, the student leaders put the onus on the government of Manipur and the Centre to solve the problem.

Chidambaram asked them to lift the restriction of movement of Manipur registration vehicles as early as possible, federation leaders said, adding, the Home Minister assured the delegation that he was personally monitoring the situation and would do whatever was necessary to resolve the present crisis.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1210/at042

 

[Oracle]

Assam Police lacks basics on cyber crimes

Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, June 12 – Sounds bizarre but true. In an era ruled by sophisticated crimes Assam Police still lacks the basic firepower to handle or monitor cyber crimes even as a sharp increase in such cases have been witnessed in the last couple of years.
Forget about creating awareness among the common people, most of the thana-level police personnel are not even acquainted with the know-how of a computer.

Moreover, the proposal of having a full-fledged cyber crime laboratory with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) which was placed around three years back too seems to be gathering dust.

The cyber crime laboratory proposal of Rs 60 lakh included the provision of having all the basic tools required for tracking online crimes.

"Be it having trained human resource or requisite technology to counter online crimes, the State is lagging far behind, which understandably is facilitating the cause of the wrongdoers," a senior Assam Police official claimed.

He stated that though the State witnesses at least hundred cases of cyber crime every year, only 25 per cent of them gets reported largely due to the sheer ignorance on the part of the thana-level police official.

"As the computerization programme for the Assam Police could not be materialized, things could not take a lift within the force," rued the official.

On having the cyber crime laboratory, he said that the lab would come handy in tracking the cyber criminals and what is even more important is to have a proper monitoring cell that would help tracking the online correspondence of suspects, especially those underground.

The Chief Minister, it may be mentioned, did assure in the last budget that the laboratory would be set up soon.

"If we can have a proper cyber security system intact, half of the crimes could be prevented," he asserted.

He went on to inform that the CID, which has a special cyber crime cell, has registered around 12 cases in the last couple of years, most of them being cases of issuing threat mail.

"In all the cases we have found that the crime is committed through cyber cafés and so we are pushing for a legal cushion which would make record maintenance of the customers mandatory," he stated.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1310/at09

 

[Oracle]

Ex-ULFA members threaten stir
Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, June 14 – The former members of the militant outfit ULFA today warned that if the State Government fails to meet their demands on rehabilitation packages and withdrawal of the TADA cases within a month's time, they will go for a Statewide 'militant democratic' agitation. The former ULFA members, who have returned to the mainstream of society either by surrendering or without surrendering before the authorities, number around 14,000.
Sadou Asam Prakton ULFA Samannayrakshi Sommitee president Prasanta Deka, its general secretary Rajen Medhi, working president Dhananjoy Rabha and vice-president Anirban Gohain alleged at a press conference here that about 7,642 of the members of their organization are yet to get the benefit of the rehabilitation package offered by the Government to the former militants.

Since 1996, the Government has not provided the former ULFA members any monetary assistance in the form of rehabilitation package. The monthly allowances provided to some of them for a year or so at the rate of Rs 2,000 (for Grade-A) and Rs 1,500 (for Grade-B) have also been stopped.

The State Government is also maintaining a discriminatory attitude towards the former ULFA members. The Government is generously offering rehabilitation benefits to the former Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT), Bengali Tiger Force (BTF), National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF). But it is apathetic to the former ULFA members, who have come back to the mainstream of society, in this respect, they alleged.

The failure of the Government to withdraw the TADA cases against the former ULFA members has created a very desperate situation for these former ULFA members and some of them have even committed suicide due to the frustration caused by obligations of their shuttling between their native places and the court, alleged the Sommittee leaders.

The Government has repeatedly assured that the cases against the former ULFA members would be withdrawn. But it has failed to keep this commitment.

On the issue of negotiation between the Government and ULFA, they said that the Centre should step in directly in the process as it has done in the case of the NSCN (IM). The Centre should also announce that all the factors that led to the ULFA insurgency would be taken up during the discussion and the ULFA central committee leaders should be allowed to hold their general council meeting for the purpose of taking part in the negotiation process, said the Sommittee members.

However, any attempt at resolving the ULFA insurgency issue through negotiation should result in acknowledging the rights and privileges of the indigenous peoples of the State, they asserted.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1510/at095

 

[Oracle]

Lumding-Agartala BG work hampered by insurgency
Correspondent
AGARTALA, June 14 – The much-delayed broad gauge conversion work of rail track from Lumding to Agartala is expected to be completed by 2012, the Assembly was informed here on Monday.
The BG conversion work on the 394-km rail track was kicked off in 1996 but has not made 'much' progress due to the militancy in NC Hills. Of late, the on-going work has been put on the fast track to complete the work within the stipulated time.

Replying to a notice initiated by CPM MLA Manindra Chandra Das, Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey informed the House that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had a meeting with General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on February 10 to review the progress of the ongoing BG conversion work. In the meeting, the GM said that the ongoing work from Lumding to Badarpur has made satisfactory progress during the past few months. "The BG conversion work from Lumding to Agartala is expected to be completed by 2012", the GM assured.

However, opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath raised objection on the statement of the Transport Minister that it was the law and order problem in Assam's NC Hills which had hampered the normal pace of the work.

Nath pointed out that the Assembly rules don't permit discussion on a subject related to other States. But Speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath did not pay heed to it.

Dey also claimed that the GM NFR had made the revelation to Chief Minister during his meeting and added that the factual truth could not be averted.

The Minister further said that the State Government had requested the NFR authority to seek Assam Government's help to expedite the BG work. Besides, the government is rendering all possible help to complete the project at the earliest, he said.

The Transport Minister also informed the House that only three months would be needed to connect 110 km stretch of rail link from Kumarghat to Agartala with BG facility.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1510/oth06

 

[Oracle]

3 suspected KLO terrorists held

Siliguri, June 19 (IANS): Three suspected terrorists of Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) were arrested from this West Bengal town, police said today.
The police raided the house of Indrajit Roy, one of the militants, in Patiramjote area of Matigara here on Friday night and arrested him along with two other insurgents. One of those arrested, Tirtha Burman, was a hardcore militant. He had been trained in Chittagong of neighbouring Bangladesh, Darjeeling district Police Superintendent DP Singh told reporters.

Tirtha Burman was the north Bengal in-charge of the KLO, which has been demanding creation of Kamtapur State comprising six districts in the northern part of the State and nine others in Assam. While Tirtha Burman hails from Habibpur in Malda district, the other arrested Pratap Burman has two houses in Malda and South Dinajpur districts of north Bengal.

Thirteen rounds of bullets, a 9 mm pistol and mobile SIM cards of north Bengal and Assam were seized from them.

The KLO had been weakened after the Bhutanese army demolished its camps on its soil in 2004. However, it was now trying to regroup and the three were involved in abduction and extortion to raise money for reorganising the group.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1910/at068

 

[Oracle]

ULFA extortion drive continues
Staff reporter
GUWAHATI, June 22 – Even as efforts to bring the banned ULFA to the negotiating table are on, the outfit, especially its 709 battalion, continues to serve extortion letters to various persons, ranging from Government officials to businessmen.
If sources in the police department are to be believed the outfit in the last couple of months had served extortion notes to around 20 persons based in and around the city.

This also include businessmen from Fancy Bazar area.

Of these, however, some are yet to lodge formal complaint with the police.

The recent instance where Agriculture department executive engineer Manik Baishya was served a demand note of Rs 50 lakh by the outfit's 709 battalion was not an one-off incident that came to the notice of the police.

"We have come across quite a few such demands served in the name of the outfit and investigations are on to find the genuineness of the extortion notices. At the same time we are keeping a track on the activities of the outfit," said Pradeep Chandra Saloi, Senior Superintendent of Police (City) while talking to this reporter.

He also confirmed that those who have been served the extortion notes also include contractors and businessmen.

Meanwhile, a senior police official, requesting anonymity, informed that the outfit has intensified its extortion drive not only in the city but also outside the city.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun2310/city06

 

[Oracle]

BSF-BDR talks tomorrow to ease border tension
Raju Das
SHILLONG, June 22 – The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) would hold a Inspector General-level meeting on Thursday at Tamabil to ease tension on the Indo-Bangla border.
The decision to hold the meeting between the two sides was taken after the BDR opened fire on Indian villagers cultivating land in areas of "adverse possession," on June 15. One woman was injured in the firing.

Both sides have further agreed that till the meeting was held Indian villagers would not venture into areas of adverse possession in Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills district, bordering Bangladesh.

Earlier, the BSF had rejected an offer for talks at the battalion commandant level, holding 21 BDR commander, Lt Col Khandaker Zahirul Alam responsible for the June 15 firing.

BSF (Assam-Meghalaya) Frontier chief, RC Saxena had rejected the offer saying: "meetings should be held in a cordial and understanding atmosphere. He (Lt Col Alam) is not having the right frame of mind. So any talks with him wouldn't be meaningful." Instead, BSF had sought a meeting at the sector commandant level.

BSF has repeatedly accused Lt Col Alam of creating unnecessary tension along the international border with his "over enthusiasm," after he took command of the 21 BDR battalion. There were four earlier instances this year when both BSF and BDR exchanged fire after Lt Col Alam took over, heightening tension along the border.

The BDR commander has repeatedly ordered his troops to fire on Indian villagers in areas claimed by Bangladesh, but in "adverse possession of India". There are 11 such areas of "adverse possession" in Meghalaya with several of them being in the Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills district bordering Bangladesh.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun2310/oth05

 

[Oracle]

6 NLFT ultras surrender
Correspondent
AGARTALA, June 22 – Six militants of the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) surrendered before the BSF at Khasia Mangal in West Tripura district, police said here today.
The surrendered militants were recruited in between 2007 and 2009 and most of them have taken part in more than one encounter with security forces in Dhalai district.

During interrogation, they revealed that the frustration among the lower level of cadres is increasing with every passing day due to difficult living conditions in jungles which is further augmented by the financial hardship faced by them.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun2310/oth06